10 Downing Street: Mr Phil Flynn

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Mr Phil Flynn has visited Number 10 Downing Street in connection with the Irish peace process in the past five years; if so, when these visits occurred; and whom he represented.

Lord Rooker: Mr Flynn has not visited Number 10 Downing Street in connection with the peace process in the past five years.

British Citizenship: Home Office Briefing Paper

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why Home Office officials deleted two sentences in the Home Office position from paragraph 16 of the briefing paper sent to the Minister of State for Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality, dated 19 January, concerning the British citizenship application of a solely British national (overseas) minor of Indian origin; and whether they will place in the Library of the House the two deleted sentences.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The document to which the noble Lord refers was sent to the Minister of State intact. No sentences were deleted prior to submission. The briefing was subsequently released to a private individual in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Some information which is protected by the Data Protection Act was first removed from the briefing. If an inquirer is not satisfied with the response he or she has received to such a request, the correct procedure is first to seek an internal review of the decision and, if still not satisfied, to contact the Information Commissioner.

Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools restricts the employment of (a) contractors; (b) architects; and (c) quantity surveyors to Roman Catholics; and how many non-Catholics are presently employed as architects.

Lord Rooker: No. The Council for Catholic maintained Schools does not restrict the employment of (a) contractors; (b) architects; and (c) quantity surveyors for schools capital projects to Catholics. All appointments in respect of projects in Catholic maintained schools are approved by the Department of Education. Neither the Department of Education nor the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools holds any information on the religious background of contractors, architects or quantity surveyors employed.

Department of Health: Guidance on Fabricated or Induced Illness

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the decision of the General Medical Council to strike off Professor Sir Roy Meadow, they will now withdraw or review the guidance issued by the Department of Health on factitious or induced illness.

Lord Adonis: The Government's guidance, Safeguarding Children in whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced (2002), focuses on children when there is a concern that the child is or is likely to suffer harm as a result of their carer inducing or fabricating illness. The key issue is the impact of fabricated or induced illness of the child's health and development, and consideration of how best to safeguard the child's welfare. The guidance emphasises the importance of carefully evaluating the child's signs and symptoms of illness in order to understand the reasons for them and that professionals should be open to all possible explanations. The General Medical Council's decision to strike Professor Sir Roy Meadow off the medical register related to him giving erroneous and misleading information in a criminal trial about the likelihood of two cot deaths in one family. It had no connection to the contents of the guidance on fabricated or induced illness. We therefore have no plans to amend the guidance.

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who are the commissioners on the Northern Ireland Equality Commission; what is the religious and gender balance; and what is the nationality and country of permanent residence of the chief commissioner.

Lord Rooker: Following the recent appointments, there are 18 commissioners on the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (including the chief commissioner and deputy chief commissioner). Of these, 10 are male and eight are female.
	The commissioners are:
	Bob Collins: chief commissioner
	Anne O'Reilly: deputy chief commissioner
	Annie Campbell
	Tony Carlin
	Brian Carlin
	Prof Eileen Evason
	Una Gillespie
	Tom Haverty
	Bryan Johnston
	James Knox
	Thomas McGrath
	Prof Eithne McLaugin
	Michael Rea
	Audrey Simpson
	Daphne Trimble
	Elaine Waterson
	Derick Wilson
	Paul Yam 
	We do not hold information on the religious background of commissioners. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring form completed by all candidates asked candidates to declare their background as being "of the Protestant community"; "of the Roman Catholic community" or neither "a Protestant or Roman Catholic community background".
	The community background of the commissioners (including the chief commissioner and deputy chief commissioner) as indicated on their forms, is as follows:
	Protestant: 8
	Roman Catholic: 7
	Neither: 2
	Not Known: 1
	We do not hold information on nationality or country of permanent residence of commissioners, as candidates were not asked to confirm this in their applications.

European Union Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will ask the European Commission to complete the criteria for prior approval of health claims under the proposed European Union Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods before the proposal is adopted.

Lord Warner: The Government acknowledge there is a need for clarity on the requirements. We have asked and will continue to press for guidance to be produced as soon as possible and in advance of the date of adoption of the proposed regulation.

European Union Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publicly consult on the development of the community list of health claims to be submitted to the European Food Safety Authority under the proposed European Union Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods.

Lord Warner: Under the proposed regulation, member states must submit to the European Commission a list of certain health claims, notably those related to functions of the body, by one year after the regulation has been adopted. In anticipation of this, the Food Standards Agency is currently discussing the bases for compiling the list with various interested parties. It will then decide how best to further involve stakeholders in the development of the list.

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs:E-mail Correspondence

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why, given that 2005 has been designated the year of e-government, it is not yet possible to engage in correspondence with H M Inspectors of Taxes by e-mail.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: HMRC's online customers, who are registered with the Government Gateway, are able to e-mail HMRC via the "Secure Portals for Individuals". Customers are able to update their details and ask questions about their personal tax affairs. To gain access to the system users need first to log on, allowing HMRC to validate their identity. Customers can then correspond through a secure structured e-mail system.
	HMRC is looking to roll out structured e-contact for other customer groups e.g. corporations, employers and agents over the coming years.

Irish Language Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What groups and individuals have been consulted about the proposed relocation of the headquarters of the Irish Language Agency.

Lord Rooker: I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 10 October 2005 (Official Report col. WA 41). Her Majesty's Government have not consulted more widely on this matter.

Looked-after Children

Baroness Buscombe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the terms of reference for the consultation planned for 2006 on proposals specific to "looked-after children".

Lord Adonis: We announced in the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All that we will consult early in 2006 on a wide-ranging set of proposals for transforming outcomes for looked-after children; that achieving a step-change in life chances for this group will require continued improvements in fostering and residential care; and that we will also look at other ways in which these children might benefit from additional help and support.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made any assessment of which employers may be prepared to employ individuals with a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) who have been deemed to be fit for work by Department of Work and Pensions medical examiners.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government have made no assessment of which employers may be prepared to employ individuals with a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) who have been deemed to be fit for work by Department of Work and Pensions medical examiners.
	The personal capability assessment (PCA) objectively evaluates the extent to which a person is capable of carrying out specific every-day activities which relate generally to the ability to work. The activities cover physical, sensory and mental functions. The assessment measures the disabling effects of a person's medical condition rather than the presence of a particular medical condition.
	The PCA is not a snapshot of ability on any one day and takes account of the likely effects of fluctuating symptoms to ensure that the determination is not based on an unrepresentative day but fully reflects any disability over a period of time.

National Information Forum

Baroness Morgan of Drefelin: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which organisations have been invited to take part in the National Information Forum, as promised in the National Health Service information strategy, Better information, better choices, better health; and
	What progress has been made in setting up the National Information Forum, as promised in the National Health Service information strategy, Better information, better choices, better health; and
	When the first meeting is to be held of the National Information Forum, as promised in the National Health Service information strategy, Better information, better choices, better health.

Lord Warner: Better information, better choices, better health is a three-year programme to improve information to people, so they can make better choices and better manage their own health.
	The Better information, better choices, better health strategy is in its first year. The Department of Health is currently developing options for a national "Information Forum" as part of that strategy, including organisations and timing issues.

New Housing: Water Supplies

Baroness Hanham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information on the provision of water supplies for new housing in the south-east was contained in their concordat with the Environment Agency.

Baroness Andrews: The concordat between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Environment Agency is an agreement to work together to protect and enhance the environment as part of the delivery and planning for sustainable communities.
	It makes it clear that the Environment Agency's advice should be sought early on in the development of proposals likely to have impacts on water supplies, sewerage, flooding and the other areas for which the agency is responsible.

NHS Dentistry

Lord Colwyn: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 13 October (Official Report, cols. 410–12), what research had been undertaken into the effect of the proposed new dental patient charges; who carried out this research; how much funding was allocated; and when it was undertaken.

Lord Warner: The Department of Health established a working party led by Mr Harry Cayton to review the National Health Service dental charging regime and develop recommendations for a replacement system that ensures the same proportion of overall expenditure on dentistry is collected from charge income under new local commissioning arrangements as now. The members of the working party were:
	Harry Cayton: Chair
	Frances Blunden: Consumers' Association
	Gary Booth: Dental Practice Board
	Barry Cockcroft: Office of the Chief Dental Officer
	Lester Ellman: British Dental Association
	Jonathan Ellis: Help the Aged
	Helen Falcon: NHS Confederation
	Almas Mithani-Department of Health
	Darshan Patel-British Dental Association
	Liz Phelps-Citizens Advice
	This report was published in July 2005 and included scenarios comparing the current and the proposed new banded system of charges. The department has continued to keep under review its analysis of the proposed new system of patient charges.

Northern Ireland Civil Service

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total establishment figure for the Northern Ireland Civil Service on 1 September for each year since 2000.

Lord Rooker: The information is not available in the format requested for years 2000 to 2003 because manpower levels were controlled during that period by a financial and not numerical regime. However, overall staff-in-post figures are available, at the 1 April each year, for 2001 to 2003 and these are provided expressed as whole-time equivalents. The total establishment figure for the Northern Ireland Civil Service, expressed as whole-time equivalent staff-in-post plus vacancies, for 2004 and 2005 is set out in the following table. Some departments only hold this information at April each year. Consequently while most figures relate to l September, some are based on 1 April date. NIO figures are shown separately.
	
		
			 Year 11 Depts NIO Total 
			 2000 Figures not available   
			 April 2001: 24,441 1,343 25,784* 
			 April 2002: 25,398 1,423 26,821* 
			 April 2003: 26,287 1,518 27,805* 
			 April–Sept 2004 28,607 1,622 30,229** 
			 April–Sept 2005 27,836 1,715 29,551** 
		
	
	*Staff in Post
	**Staff in Post plus vacancies
	The above figures relate to the 11 Northern Ireland departments and the NIC, including their agencies, but exclude Home Civil Service staff. The NIO figures exclude PSNI, Prison Service uniform staff and Youth Justice Agency non-admin staff.

Northern Ireland Office: Information Security

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Minister has responsibility for information security in the Northern Ireland Office.

Lord Rooker: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has ministerial responsibility for information security in the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland: Children with Autism

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Children's Minister has had recent discussions regarding autism; if so, with whom; and whether they intend to devise and implement a Province-wide strategy to deal with early assessment of autism, adequately trained classroom assistants and other special needs.

Lord Rooker: I met with the noble Lord on 3 October and I can report that policy and services for children and adults with autism are currently being examined under the Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (N.I.), commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The review will recommend how future service delivery should be managed and funded.
	In addition, the Department of Education plans shortly to instigate a strategic review of special educational needs provision. The review will include an examination of issues relating to the provision of classroom assistants for all children with statements of special educational need including those with autism and will examine their training needs and effective deployment.

Northern Ireland: Children with Dyslexia

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much they have spent on special requirements for children in education with dyslexia in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years.

Lord Rooker: It is not possible for the education and library boards to isolate the total resources made available regarding special arrangements for children with dyslexia, as this will depend on the needs of the individual child.
	From 2004–05 to 2007–08 additional resources of some £1.3 million will have been provided to the education and library boards specifically to address dyslexia related issues including training teachers in identification techniques and teaching strategies, provided in school by suitably qualified teaching staff.
	DE has also been involved in producing classroom resources to support positive interventions for these children:
	A complementary video, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM on dyslexia have been produced by a joint working group from DE and the Department of Education and Science in Dublin have been distributed to all schools in NI; and
	As an aid to teachers and classroom assistants, a guide for teachers "Developing a Dyslexia Friendly Learning Environment", prepared by a DE led working group, was issued to all schools in June 2005.

Northern Ireland: Drug Seizures

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What have been the number of seizures in Northern Ireland for 2004–05 in comparison to those in 2000–01 of (a) cocaine powder and wraps; (b) LSD doses and microdots; and (c) amphetamines powder and wraps; and what were the conviction rates for drug offences in each of those years.

Lord Rooker: The number of seizures and quantity of drugs seized by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2000–01 and 2004–05 are contained in the table below.
	
		Drug Seizures by PSNI
		
			  1 April 2004 to13 March 2005   1 April 2000 to31 March 2001 
			 Drug Seized Number of seizures Amount seized Number of seizures Amount seized 
			 Cocaine: 
			 Powder 87 21.3 kgs 27 1.7 kgs 
			 Wraps 3 24 0 0 
			 LSD: 
			 Doses 7 1,134 9 117 
			 Microdots 2 7,012 2 201 
			 Amphetamine: 
			 Powder 147 79.1 kgs 51 3.9 kgs 
			 Wraps 3 24 8 16 
		
	
	Data relating to the prosecution and conviction rates in respect of drug offences at all courts are currently available up to the year ending December 2003 and are contained in the table below.
	Prosecutions and Conviction Rates for Drug Offences at all courts 2000 to 20031
	
		
			 Year Prosecutions Convictions Conviction Rate (%)2 
			 2000 732 649 89 
			 2001 539 470 87 
			 2002 455 41S 91 
			 2003 568 498 88 
		
	
	Source: Northern Ireland Office
	Information relating to the number of prosecutions for drug offences in the Crown Courts in 2004–05 is contained below.
	
		Persons proceeded against in respect of drugs offences in the Crown Courts 2004–05
		
			 Year Number of Persons Proceeded Against Number of Persons Convicted of at least one offence Conviction Rate3 
			 2004-05 243 224 96.6 
		
	
	1Figures are collated on a principal offence basis, thus, where a person is being dealt with for more than one offence at the same court sitting, only the most serious offence (that attracting the most severe court penalty) is included in the statistics.
	2Conviction rate based on number of guilty findings as a proportion of all proceedings resulted in each calendar year.
	3Calculation of conviction rate excludes cases withdrawn.

Northern Ireland: Festivals

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who were the consultants in 2003 who gave advice to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure concerning festivals; and how much each consultant was paid.

Lord Rooker: The consultant was Colin Stutt Consulting who was paid a total of £51,780.53.

Northern Ireland: Fuel Laundering

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 October (WA 62) concerning fuel laundering, what steps they have taken in each year since 2000 to stop such activity.

Lord Rooker: The Government are fully committed to tackling the problem of oils fraud in Northern Ireland. In September 2000 Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs began to increase the number of officers in Northern Ireland. Since January 2001 160 customs officers have been deployed to break up criminal gangs behind oils fraud, especially laundering plants, and are actively working under the umbrella of the Organised Crime Task Force with a range of agencies to tackle non-compliance in the fuel sector.
	In 2002 the Government announced the introduction of a UK Oils Strategy for tackling the problem. The strategy consists of a range of additional measures to help combat the problem including stronger regulatory regimes to control the sale and distribution of rebated fuel, a central intelligence unit to drive operational activity against fuel smugglers and launderers and the application of new technology.
	The latest available data indicate that deliveries of legitimate road fuel to Northern Ireland have increased for the third year in a row after five preceding years of decline which is a clear indicator that the illicit market is shrinking and that the UK Oils Strategy is having a positive effect.

Northern Ireland: Fuel Laundering

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 10 October (WA 62) on organised crime and fuel processing, whether a targeted strategy has been put in place to deal with the problems identified; and when they will have figures for 2004.

Lord Rooker: The Government's strategy for tackling the problem of oils fraud in Northern Ireland is threefold. First, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have deployed extra resources in Northern Ireland. Since January 2001, 160 Customs officers are involved in the work to break up criminal gangs and laundering plants.
	Secondly, those officers are actively working with a range of agencies to tackle non compliance in the fuel sector under the umbrella of the Organised Crime Task Force.
	Thirdly, the UK Oils Strategy is being fully applied including the implementation of the Registered Dealers in Controlled Oils scheme to control the sale and distribution of rebated fuel, the introduction of a central intelligence unit to drive operational activity against fuel smugglers and launderers and investment in new technology.
	The latest available data indicate that deliveries of legitimate road fuel to Northern Ireland have increased three years running which is a clear indicator that the illicit market is shrinking and that the Government's strategy is having a positive effect.
	Data relating to the period 2004/05 will appear in the annual report of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs which will be published in mid December.

Northern Ireland: Liquor Licences and Additional Permitted Hours Applications

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they do not propose to charge commercial or real cost fees for liquor licences and late extensions in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: Fees in respect of liquor licences and applications for additional permitted hours in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the courts. The department has issued a consultation on licensing, copies of which are available in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Post-primary Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the latest estimate of additional transport costs per annum that will be incurred by (a) pupils; and (b) teachers to give effect to the entitlement framework as detailed in the report by the Costello working group on post-primary education in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: Schools will develop the arrangements necessary to ensure access to the curricular entitlement framework with other schools in their locality and with further education colleges. In doing so they will seek to minimise disruption to the school day; for example, by the use of synchronised timetabling, e-learning and distance learning. As these arrangements will be developed locally, it is not possible at this stage to estimate the costs associated with them.

Northern Ireland: Post-primary Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What standards of reliability and validity are being applied to the pupil profile being drawn up by the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment on behalf of the Department of Education as the instrument to guide parents in choosing a post-primary school for their children; who will authorise those standards; and where and in what circumstances they are currently in operation.

Lord Rooker: The pupil profile will provide a range of useful information on each pupil's progress, aptitudes, interests and aspirations and will help parents, teachers and pupils to make informed choices throughout each pupil's education. CCEA has been trailing and developing the pupil profile over the past two years to ensure that it is robust, manageable and useful. Development work is continuing in 2005–06 and details of the outcomes of the first two years of trials were recently published on the CCEA website at www.ccea.org.uk.
	The information in the pupil profile will be based on ongoing teacher assessment supported by a range of assessment tools. CCEA will ensure that the pupil profile will meet standards of validity and reliability by benchmarking them against the assessment reform group's principles for effective teacher assessment.

Northern Ireland: Post-primary Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in implementing the proposals of the Costello working group on post-primary education in Northern Ireland, legislative provision will be made to ensure that parents who attempt to choose educational pathways best suited to their children's abilities will be obliged to seek the benefits of professional advice from post-primary schools as well as from primary teachers.

Lord Rooker: The role of primary and post-primary schools in the new admissions arrangements for post-primary schools was part of the recent consultation on the new arrangements which will operate when academic selection ends after 2008. The Government will be announcing decisions on new admissions arrangements in early December.

Northern Ireland: Post-primary Education

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether planning for the implementation of the proposals by the Costello working group on post-primary education in Northern Ireland is on target to ensure that the present transfer test, the 11-plus, will end as scheduled in 2008.

Lord Rooker: Progress is being made in planning for implementation of the Costello proposals, and we remain on schedule to put key arrangements in place before 2008 when the final transfer tests take place.
	Further detail on recent developments is contained in the Department of Education's Entitled to Succeed newsletter, which is distributed to schools and published on the department's website. Copies of the newsletter have been placed in the Library.

Northern Ireland: Provisional IRA

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Provisional Irish Republican Army still exists in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The Government believe that General de Chastelain's declaration that the IRA has completed disarmament has created an historic opportunity for progress.
	The chairman of the Independent International Commission for Decommissioning (IICD), General John de Chastelain, announced on 25 September 2005, that it had witnessed full and final decommissioning by the PIRA of arms and weaponry.
	The seventh Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report published on 19 October 2005 recognises that statement as "very significant" and that "initial signs following the PIRA statement are encouraging". The report concluded "we have no evidence of training or recruitment after the 28 July statement".
	The IMC's January report will be important in showing whether the commitments made in July are being met.

Northern Ireland: Railways

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will encourage Northern Ireland Railways to run direct Enterprise trains from Londonderry to Dublin daily.

Lord Rooker: I answered this same question on 2 November 2005 (Official Report col. WA 34).

Northern Ireland: Real IRA

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Real Irish Republican Army still exists in County Armagh.

Lord Rooker: The Independent Monitoring Commission's 7th Report, published on 19 October 2005, confirmed that RIRA is continuing to recruit and train new members and that existing members are receiving training. Chapter 2, section 3.22 of the report concludes that RIRA remains "active, prepared to use violence against both law enforcers and the general public, and has continued terrorist and other criminal activity as its clear aim".
	The Government's position is clear: In order to create the conditions for political progress to continue to flourish, there must be an end to all criminality and paramilitary activity.

Northern Ireland: Reform of Liquor Licensing Laws

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the equality screening exercise under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 on the proposal to reform the liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland in relation to the surrender of existing licences took account of any community imbalance in the licensed trade.

Lord Rooker: There are no known equality implications or community balance issues arising from the reform of the liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland in relation to the surrender of existing licences.

Northern Ireland: Reform of Liquor Licensing Laws

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the proposal document on reforming the liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland in relation to licence surrender, what they mean by the words "in order to minimise the impact on existing licence holders for pubs and off licences, a period of time would have to be allowed in which to write off the notional value of the licence".

Lord Rooker: The higighted words indicate that the proposed abolition of the surrender provision would be phased in over a specified period of time to prevent licences losing overnight the commercial value they have acquired over a number of years. This would allow current licence holders to adapt to the change in market. The consultation is open until 31 January 2006.

Northern Ireland: Smoking in Public Places

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in relation to the proposed smoking ban for Northern Ireland, there have been consultations with the Irish Republic; if so, when; and between whom those consultations took place.

Lord Rooker: Prior to his decision to introduce comprehensive tobacco controls on smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces in Northern Ireland, Health Minister Shaun Woodward made fact finding visits to Dublin and New York. The Dublin visit took place on 4 and 5 July 2005 and involved discussions with officials from the Department of Health and Children, the Office of Tobacco Control, the Restaurants' Association of Ireland, the Irish Hotels' Federation and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), Ireland.

Northern Ireland: Task Force on Working Class Protestant Communities

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who is on the Northern Ireland task force on working class Protestant communities; how, by whom and when the members were selected; and when the taskforce will report.

Lord Rooker: The Task Force to Address the Needs of Protestant Working Class Communities was set up by John Spellar (the then Minister with responsibility for social development) in April 2004. It is made up of senior civil servants from all government departments, with the exception of the Department of the Environment, together with a representative from the PSNI. Members were nominated by their department.
	The task force will present its conclusions shortly.

Pension Contributions: Tax Relief

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What unified rate of tax relief on pension contributions would, in the absence of behavioural changes, be revenue neutral in comparison with the present different rates.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The average marginal tax rate on both individual and employers' contributions to approved pension schemes is provided annually in note 3 of Table 7.9 of HMRC statistics at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/pensions/7—9—sep05.pdf.
	The latest estimate relates to 2004–05 and is 29 per cent. If there were no changes in contributions, behaviour or the taxation of pensions in payment this would be a tax neutral single-rate compared with the current system.
	However, introducing a single rate of relief could cause significant behavioural changes by individual pension contributors and it is unlikely that the rate given above would be revenue neutral.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements exist for the transfer of serving police officers to the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and how many officers have been transferred in each of the past four years.

Lord Rooker: The Police Service of Northern Ireland advertises promotion competitions nationally. During the period in question three officers have entered PSNI in a rank other than constable. (All three at sergeant rank)
	In addition, serving constables (outside of their probationary period) from other UK police services can apply to join via the constable recruitment competitions. If successful they do not have to undergo the full police trainee programme, or probationary period. They undergo an abbreviated training course that familiarises them with PSNI procedure and policy. Some 41 officers have entered PSNI during the period in question via this method.
	In 2003 a competition was run (on behalf of the chief constable) by PSNI's recruitment contractors for detective constables. The aim of this was to address a specific and identified resource gap. Ten officers have entered PSNI during the periods in question via this method. The chief constable may run similar competitions in the future if required.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the special arrangements for the recruitment of detectives to the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced by the then Security Minister Jane Kennedy MP are still in place; and how many detectives have been recruited in each of the past four years.

Lord Rooker: There are no special arrangements as referred to by the noble Lord. The chief constable is able to recruit staff to address resource gaps as and when he deems it necessary, as long as the requirements of the Police Act are met. Such recruitment would be conducted within prevailing funding arrangements.
	In 2003 a competition was run to recruit detective constables. The aim of this was to address a specific and identified resource gap. Ten officers were appointed having been successful in this competition.
	The chief constable reserves the right to run similar competitions (for whatever post) in the future if required.

Railways Security Equipment Trial

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who will fund the railways security equipment trial on the London Underground and surface railway.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Department for Transport is funding the project. Other bodies such as the Home Office, the police, London Underground and the railway companies are contributing to or co-operating with the project; for example, through the contribution of their staff's time.

Secondary Schools: Admissions Policy

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, under new proposals for education in England, secondary schools will be able to determine their own admissions policy.

Lord Adonis: Trust schools will be able to determine their own admission policies within the parameters of the existing admissions framework, in the same way as foundation and voluntary-aided schools already do. This requires them to comply with equal opportunities and other relevant legislation, and to have regard to the School Admissions Code of Practice. These schools will determine their arrangements following a statutory consultation process with other schools and local authorities, any of which may object to the schools adjudicator if they consider proposed admission criteria to be unfair. The adjudicator has powers to amend an admission policy if he finds that an objection has merit.

Social Security Benefits: Wales

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which 10 local authority areas in Wales have the most people in receipt of social security benefits; and which have the highest percentage of population in receipt of social security.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The most recent available information is in the tables.
	
		The 10 local authorities in Wales with the highest number of working-age claimants: May 2004
		
			 Local Authority number of claimants percentage of population 
			 Rhondda, Cynon, Taff 36,800 26.1 
			 Cardiff 33,900 16.5 
			 Swansea 29,200 21.3 
			 Caerphilly 26,800 25.8 
			 Carmarthenshire 22,400 21.6 
			 Neath Port Talbot 22,200 27.4 
			 Bridgend 17,700 22.4 
			 Newport 16,300 19.6 
			 Wrexham 13,600 16.9 
			 Flintshire 13,500 14.6 
		
	
	
		The 10 local authorities in Wales with the highest percentage of working-age people in receipt benefits: May 2004
		
			 Local Authority number of claimants percentage of population 
			 Merthyr Tydfil 10,500 31.5 
			 Blaenau Gwent 12,400 30.1 
			 Neath Port Talbot 22,200 27.4 
			 Rhondda, Cynon, Taff 36,800 26.1 
			 Caerphilly 26,800 25.8 
			 Bridgend 17,700 22.4 
			 Torfaen 11,900 22.1 
			 Carmarthenshire 22,400 21.6 
			 Swansea 29,200 21.3 
			 Newport 16,300 19.6 
		
	
	Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.
	Notes:
	Working age claimants of one or more of: jobseeker's allowance; income support; incapacity benefit; severe disablement allowance; disability living allowance; carer's allowance; bereavement benefit or widow's benefit; pension credit.
	"Working age" includes all women from 16 to 59 and Men from 16 to 64 years of age.
	Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	Percentage of working age population; monty population estimates based on mid-year population figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
	Figures produced using mid-2004 population estimates.

Strangford: Primary School Enrolment

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the enrolment at each (a) controlled; (b) maintained; and (c) integrated primary school in the constituency of Strangford; and what were the equivalent figures for 2000.

Lord Rooker: The requested information is as follows.
	
		
			 Controlled Primary Schools 2000–01 2004–05 
			 Abbey 602 634 
			 Alexander Dickson 203 182 
			 Andrews Memorial 450 390 
			 Ballycloughan 63 54 
			 Ballykeigle 43 59 
			 Ballywalter 177 187 
			 Brooklands 697 602 
			 Carrickmannon 96 84 
			 Carrowdore 138 148 
			 Carryduff 260 189 
			 Castle Gardens 353 345 
			 Comber 383 399 
			 Derryboy 66 79 
			 Dundonald 601 575 
			 Grey Abbey 74 72 
			 Killinchy 236 301 
			 Killyleagh 116 100 
			 Kirkistown 63 84 
			 Londonderry 300 299 
			 Loughries 79 80 
			 Moneyrea 131 143 
			 Newtownards Model 398 367 
			 O'neill Memorial 26 Na 
			 Portavogie 182 209 
			 Regent House School Preparatory 
			  
			 Department 158 140 
			 Victoria 569 543 
			 Victoria,(Ballyhalbert) 108 115 
			 West Winds 190 165 
		
	
	
		
			 Catholic Maintained Primary Schools 2000–01 2004–05 
			 St Caolan's (Formerly Darragh Cross) 87 78 
			 St Finian's 130 113 
			 St Joseph's 831 808 
			 St Mary's, Ballygowan 29 20 
			 St Mary's, Comber 35 34 
			 St Mary's, Killyleagh 138 130 
			 St Mary's, Kircubbin 172 127 
			 St Mary's, Portaferry 251 252 
			 St Patrick's, Kircubbin 106 89 
		
	
	
		
			 Integrated Primary Schools 2000–01 2004–05 
			 Kircubbin 98 117 
			 Portaferry Integrated 66 84 
		
	
	Note:
	1. Figures include pupils in nursery classes, reception classes and in year 1-year 7.
	"NA" means not applicable. The school has closed.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what date the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure received an application from the Ulster-Scots Agency to employ a youth development officer using non-governmental funding; and on what date the creation of the post was agreed.

Lord Rooker: In February 2004 the agency was informed by the Irish Youth Foundation that its application for funding the appointment of a youth development officer had been successful.
	In March 2004 the Ulster-Scots Agency sought the sponsor departments' approval to the proposed job specification for the post. That approval was given in June 2004.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they supplied extra funding to the Ulster-Scots Agency to cover a shortfall in the agency's budget in 2004.

Lord Rooker: In 2004 the Ulster-Scots Agency received an additional £80,000 from the two sponsor departments. This funding allowed the agency to meet unanticipated one-off financial pressures arising that year from changes in the manner in which it operates its financial assistance scheme.

Ulster-Scots Agency

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether funding for the Ulster-Scots Agency is based on an indicative budget supplied by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure; if so, what the agency requested in 2004; and what was finally paid.

Lord Rooker: Funding for the Ulster-Scots Agency is based on approved actions in the agency's business plans together with associated staffing costs. The 2004 budget for the agency was approved at £1.704 million.

Ulster-Scots Language and Culture

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they fund Irish language, culture and identity to a greater extent than Ulster-Scots culture and identity when the Belfast agreement of 1998 promised parity of esteem and total equality.

Lord Rooker: Her Majesty's Government remain wholly committed to affording equal respect and recognition to the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages and culture. The funding provided to each reflects their differing ranges of projects, programmes and supported organisations and is determined on the basis of the approved actions in their respective annual business plans.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why presents were given to all members of staff from the chief executive in Waterways Ireland at Christmas 2002 and 2003; what were these presents; how much they cost; where the funding came from; and whether the use of public money is appropriate for this type of organisation.

Lord Rooker: In 2002 and 2003 all staff in Waterways Ireland were given a Christmas card and a box of chocolates (costing €5,310.68 in 2002 and £2,432.25 in 2003). The chocolates were given to staff as a token acknowledgement of the contribution and efforts made by them to the organisation in the previous year.
	The funding came from the organisation's budget and the cost to the United Kingdom was €797 in 2002 and £365 in 2003.
	Waterways Ireland's accounts for 2002 and 2003 were audited and approved by the comptrollers and auditors-general. No issues were raised on this matter by the auditors.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What properties owned or rented by Waterways Ireland are currently not used; and what is Waterways Ireland's policy for each of these properties.

Lord Rooker: Waterways Ireland has commenced the process of identifying and valuing all properties to which it holds title and producing a vacant property policy. Its portfolio includes approximately 90 lockhouses, most of which are currently occupied. Waterways Ireland rents property only where a specific operational or accommodation requirement exists. There is therefore no vacant rented property.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 21 July (WA 324) and the Lord Rooker on 2 November (WA 38), why the post of director of marketing and communications for Waterways Ireland did not require relevant academic qualifications and experience.

Lord Rooker: I have nothing further to add to my Answer of 2 November 2005 (Official Report, WA 38).